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Pampered Pooch Owner Charged with Animal Cruelty
Written by Charlene Arsenault   
Thursday, 27 January 2011

 

By Brian Lee TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
CHARLTON —  The owner of the Pampered Pooch grooming salon at 82 Dresser Hill Road is being summoned to court on a charge of animal cruelty.

Brenda L. Sylvia, 35, is to be arraigned Feb. 9 in Dudley District Court. A clerk magistrate found probable cause to pursue the complaint by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

On Jan. 6, while brushing and bathing an uncooperative four-pound toy poodle, Ms. Sylvia allegedly pushed the poodle against the wall with such force the dog defecated, a police report said.

Two workers witnessed the alleged abuse. One of them called the state to investigate. Both workers resigned, the report said.

Officer Christine Allenberg of the MSPCA investigated after the agency received a call from Caitlyn Swindell, who was starting her work day as a dog bather when the alleged abuse occurred. The witness said she heard Ms. Sylvia cursing at the dog before she pushed him. Ms. Sylvia then took the dog, Riley, back to the bathtub to rinse him, put him on a grooming table and slammed Riley on it, the investigator said.

The witness said Ms. Sylvia jerked on the loop securing Riley and told the dog not to bite her.

Jaime-Lyn Howard, a groomer at the salon, also witnessed the incident. Although the police report says Ms. Howard resigned, she was still listed on the company's web site today.

The dog's owner called the salon soon after she picked up Riley. She asked if anything had been done differently during the grooming procedure because Riley was acting irritated, the officer said.

Riley's owner came to the store about a half-hour later and began to question who had bathed Riley.

Ms. Sylvia spoke to the owner in another room. Riley's owner left.

An hour later the dog's owner called again. Ms. Sylvia was overheard telling the owner that Riley is an old dog.

Ms. Swindell was upset and tearful when she recounted the incident to the investigator, the report said.

She asked Officer Allenberg to find Riley and make sure that he was not too badly injured.

Ms. Swindell, who had held the job more than a year, said in her resignation letter she could not tolerate Ms. Sylvia's treatment of animals and felt that she had been abusive toward numerous animals groomed there the past few months.

“The abuse involving Riley had been the final straw,” the report said.

When Officer Allenberg went to the Pampered Pooch, Ms. Sylvia immediately knew the nature of the investigation. She told the officer all she did was “scruff Riley by his neck because he was trying to bite her.”

Ms. Sylvia denied doing anything harmful or abusive. She said she has been grooming the poodle for years and would never hurt any dog.

The investigator went to the dog owner's house to check on Riley, who had a large lump on his right shoulder that had drained blood into his stomach, the report said.

The dog was careful in his movements and appeared scared, the report said.

The poodle's owner said Riley whimpered during the ride home from the salon, and her daughter noticed the lump on his shoulder.

The owner took Riley to Sturbridge Veterinary Hospital for emergency treatment.

The vet said the dog suffered a recent trauma.

After the dog returned home he was sore, wouldn't let anyone touch him, seemed stressed and would not go outside, the report said.
 
Pet Care Trust Awards Grant to Children's Hospital
Written by Charlene Arsenault   
Thursday, 20 January 2011
The Pet Care Trust is pleased to announce that they have awarded a grant of $5,000 to Children’s Hospital Boston, in support of the pediatric hospital’s dog visitation program. The grant will support the research project entitled, “Parent and Child Perspectives on Dog Visitation in a Pediatric Hospital,” providing much needed funding for completion of the project. The project follows the Pet Care Trust’s views on the value of companion pets, the human animal bond, and support companion animal programs.

The dog visitation program has been operating successfully at Children’s Hospital Boston since 2003. “It’s a really fantastic program,” explains Laura Veit, research assistant on the project. “It’s a small program in the hospital and it’s only one of many offerings that the hospital provides for children and families, but we really think that dogs have a unique way of bringing smiles into the environment.” Veit says that the dogs brighten the days of everyone from staff to parents to patients. “The dogs aren’t judgmental, they’re not going to be providing any medical care, they’re not going to be giving shots or anything like that, and they don’t care about what’s going on with the children and what they look like or what might be different,” Veit says of the special way that dogs bring unconditional love to the hospital’s pediatric in-patient units.

The program usually has 10 to 12 dog and handler teams operating on a continuous basis. Each team commits to twice-monthly visits of sixty to ninety minutes, and teams visit virtually all of the pediatric hospital’s units, with the exception of the ICU. The program accepts dog that are certified by therapy dog organizations or that hold their Canine Good Citizen designation, and the program conducts their own specialized training and orientation.

It’s evident to those who have seen firsthand the positive impact the dog and handler teams have on everyone they visit that the program has been a success, but the research project will provide valuable evidence to the hospital. Veit says that another goal of the project is to establish best-practices for the program and for other hospitals who may want to start a similar visitation program. “We’re videotaping visits and are hoping to put together examples of what happens during dog visits and maybe be able to pull some best practices out of that,” Veit explains. The research project, now with almost sixty patient participants, also gathers data through pre- and post-visit questionnaires to parents and patients.

Veit says that thanks to the support received from the Pet Care Trust, the research team can complete the videotaping process as well as the analysis of the data collected. “We want to improve our program and prove to the hospital that what we do really does help,” Veit says. “But we really would like to set ourselves up as a best practice program and help other programs that are getting started or help them improve their program in any way and we’re hoping that [this grant] allows us to do that.”

The Pet Care Trust is a non-profit, charitable public foundation established in 1990. The Trust’s mission is to promote humane and responsible care and treatment of companion animals; to focus national attention on the important and vital role which responsible companion pet ownership places within society; to provide funding for pet research, special projects and education programs; to improve animal health and welfare; to support the human animal bond and interactions; to assist the public understanding of the role of the pet industry.

 
Reward Fund to catch Canterbury Cats shooter
Written by Charlene Arsenault   
Wednesday, 13 October 2010

Worcester, Massachusetts: Pet Rock Fest., Inc., has created a reward fund in hopes of apprehending those responsible for a series of recent pellet-gun shootings of cats and kittens in the Canterbury Street area of Worcester, Massachusetts.

 

Local animal activist Deborah Young, who has been caring for the injured cats (who have since died) said that there have been a number of promising leads relating to the case, and hopes that a reward will prompt someone to come forward and report those who are responsible for these atrocities.

 

Young feeds a feral cat colony on Southgate Street, which is what led her to the discovery of the shootings. “People around there know me,” she said, “and when they have questions, or need advice, they ask. They know I work at a hospital and will try to help them the best I can.”

 

She, along with concerned citizens and Pet Rock Fest, hope the reward fund will inspire someone to come forward.

 

“I hope someone knows something and this may be the last push they need to come forward,” Young said. “Sadly, people are motivated by money, but if they see this fund, they will know this isn’t over. I’m still looking for answers. In the end, I have been inspired. I want to push more now to help, educate and stop this kind of thing from happening again. These kittens did not die in vain. I want to do more for animal rights now, in their name and memory.”

 

So far, more than $600 has been pledged.

 

Anyone interested can donate by visiting www.petrockfest.com.

 

Remember, they can’t talk, so we will.

 

Celebrating 12 years, Pet Rock Fest is the largest event of its kind in the Northeast, an annual festival that promotes kindness to animals and responsible pet ownership. Pet Rock Fest, held in September each year, is a family festival that features guest speakers, vegetarian food, live music, games, events, a raffle, vendors, and hundreds of area animal welfare organizations. Pet Rock Fest also advocates for animals throughout the year, establishing funds, organizing events and promoting kindness to animals.

 

Pet Rock  is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. Donations are tax deductable.

 

For more information, please visit www.petrockfest.com.

 
Changes in administration at WARL
Written by Charlene Arsenault   
Tuesday, 05 October 2010

New Changes in Administration at WARL

Director promoted, new board members elected

 

(Worcester MA) – The Worcester Animal Rescue League (WARL) is pleased to announce the recent promotion of Acting Director Allie Simone to Executive Director, and the election of three new members to the Board of Directors: Kim E. Stone, Matt LaBarre, and Lori Schafer.

 

Ms. Simone has served as Acting Director for the past year during which she oversaw a significant restructuring phase at WARL. Upon the anniversary of her first year in that role, the Board of Directors voted to promote her to Executive Director. Ms. Simone has served the nonprofit facility in numerous capacities for the past five years, working her way through the hierarchy of the organization until reaching this principle leadership position. She is a graduate of Worcester State University, and currently resides in West Boylston.

 

“Allie has guided our organization with persistence and passion during an uniquely challenging time,” confirmed Warner Fletcher, President, Board of Directors of WARL. “We are pleased with her performance, her commitment and her leadership. Taking our nearly 100-year old institution into a new era requires a strategic vision and steady hand, and as our Executive Director, we look forward to Allie leading the way.”

 

Additionally, new members to the Board of Directors were elected:

 

Kim E. Stone is a resident of Worcester and Director of Major Giving for Worcester Academy. Previously, she was a United Methodist pastor for churches in Chicopee and Grafton MA, and Director of Food Services for Rosie’s Place in Boston MA. A former CPA, Kim holds a Master of Divinity from Boston University, and a BS in Accounting from Northeastern University.

 

Matt LaBarre is a resident of Worcester and as has operated LaBarre Communications for twenty years, specializing in fundraising projects, sales and marketing programs, promotions, public and media relations, and strategic planning for a wide range of healthcare agencies and charities. He has served in volunteer leadership roles for AMC Cancer Research Center, Salvation Army ARC, and American Cancer Society, among others.

 

Lori Schafer is a resident of Worcester and owner of Lori Schafer Public Relations. She has founded or managed Public Relations and communications programs for a variety of service providers, specializing in arts & entertainment, healthcare, higher ed, and banking clientele. In recent years, the nonprofit sector has become her particular professional focus, especially the areas of early education, animal welfare, and agricultural sustainability.

 

“Growing our Board at this time is exciting for all of us at WARL,” continued Warner Fletcher. “The professional skills and expertise our new members contribute will help us meet and exceed our goals for the future. Their passion and potential is already evident, and the Board is pleased to welcome them.”

 

For more information about WARL, visit www.worcester-arl.org or call 508.853.0030.

 

About Worcester Animal Rescue League (WARL)

Founded in 1912 by a group of women determined to save overworked and abused farm horses, WARL continues this legacy of love for animals. As a no-kill, private, non-profit organization that does not receive any county, state, or federal funding, WARL relies heavily on the generosity of donors and volunteers. The facility annually assists over 2500 cats, dogs, kittens, and puppies in the 17 communities surrounding Worcester MA. Programs and services include lost and found, boarding, adoptions, low-cost spay/neuter & vaccine clinics, end-of-life/euthanasia, educational programs, foster and volunteer opportunities. Now the largest animal shelter in Central Massachusetts, WARL is a limited intake shelter, accepting pets only when enough kennel space is available; it does not believe in time or space limits for adoptable pets, and uses every resource available to place each one. Today, WARL is led by Executive Director Allie Simone and a staff of 18. Located at 139 Holden Street in Worcester, WARL is open Mon-Sat from 8:30AM to 4:30PM, and Sun from 12 noon to 4PM. Visit www.worcester-arl.org, WARL’s facebook page, or call 508.853.0030.

 
Wine Pairing Event - Benefit for Canines for Disabled Kids
Written by Charlene Arsenault   
Sunday, 03 October 2010

Join Canines for Disabled Kids at the Castle Restaurant, Route 9 in Leicester, Mass., for an evening of wood and wine pairing on Thursday, Oct. 7 at 6:30 p.m.

The Castle Restaurant will prepare one appetizer and one main course in front of those attending, and pair each with wine(s). Each pairing will come with an explanation of why the match is desired.

Everyone will be served the wine(s) and food that are prepared.  Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions about the meals so you can take the secrets home and show off for family and friends.

 Tickets are available by contacting Mallory Anderson or Kristin Hartness Law at 978-422-5299 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 Tickets are $50 per person.

Canines for Disabled Kids promotes independence and enhances the lives of disabled kids by providing access to specially trained assistance dogs, and educates adults and kids on the benefits of service animals. 

 

 

 
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